Reducing Your Risk of Heart Disease When You Have Diabetes

Diabetes and Heart Disease Risk

Diabetes can cause damage to the heart and blood vessels.
If you have diabetes, managing your blood glucose levels, along with reducing
cardiovascular disease
(CVD) risk factors, are important steps in treating diabetes.

Diabetes

Millions of Americans are affected by
diabetes
, a serious, chronic condition with high blood glucose levels associated with numerous health complications, including cardiovascular disease. Diabetes is easy to diagnose by testing blood glucose levels. Although there is no cure, early detection, appropriate treatment, education, and a healthy lifestyle can help you avoid or delay diabetes-related complications.

Cardiovascular Disease

CVD is the leading cause of death in the United States and the is primary reason for
heart attacks
and
strokes
. It is also a common complication associated with diabetes. According to the American Heart Association (AHA), people with diabetes are 2-4 times more likely to have CVD than the general population. Diabetes significantly increases the risk of heart attack or stroke compared to the general population.

Controlling Risk Factors: Getting Appropriate Treatment

The most common cardiovascular disease is called coronary artery disease (CAD). It
occurs when there is a gradual build-up of plaque in blood vessels that supply blood and oxygen to your heart muscle. Over time, the plaque narrows or blocks the branching arteries, limiting blood supply to the heart. Controlling risk factors that lead to CAD can decrease your risk of having a heart attack.

Blood Glucose

Chronic high blood glucose levels can damage your heart and blood vessels, leading to one of many CVDs. Therefore, it is important to regularly monitor and control your blood glucose levels.

Cholesterol

Cholesterol is a substance that is an important component of cell membranes as well as a building block necessary in the production of many hormones. Our bodies make what we need, but certain foods in your diet can lead to higher than normal levels of cholesterol. These abnormally high levels of cholesterol contribute to formation of fatty deposits within the walls of blood vessels. This build up can lead to CAD.

Cholesterol is transported through the bloodstream by high-density lipoproteins (HDL), low-density lipoproteins (LDL), and very low-density lipoproteins (VLDL). LDL is frequently called “bad cholesterol” as it promotes accumulation of cholesterol in the walls of your arteries. Diabetes may make the LDL particles more likely to stick to and damage artery walls. HDL cholesterol is sometimes referred to as "good" cholesterol. It helps clear excess cholesterol from your body. Its level is raised mostly by regular exercise.

Besides making appropriate lifestyle changes, the ADA also recommends using medications called statins to lower cholesterol levels in people with diabetes, with CVD, or is at risk of developing CVD, even if cholesterol levels are not high. Adults who have diabetes and high cholesterol levels, but without CVD, may also need to take statins.

Blood Pressure

Narrow blood vessels are one reason for
hypertension
. Because
hypertension
can make some of the complications of diabetes worse, the ADA recommends aggressive treatment of hypertension for people with diabetes.
The ADA recommends a target blood pressure below 140/80 mm Hg for people with diabetes. In certain populations, the target number may be 130/80 mm Hg.

Hypertension in people with diabetes is treated with:

Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE inhibitors)

Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs)

Calcium channel blockers

Thiazide-like diuretics

Many treatments for hypertension involve a combination of medications. Talk to your doctor about which would be better for you based on your target blood pressure.

Work With Your Health Care Team

It is likely you will have a health care team that is made up of doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and other health professionals. It is important to maintain contact with your medical team and be an active participant in your care. Talk to your team about symptoms, treatments, or side effects that you are having difficulty with. Other treatments options may be available to help you better manage your diabetes and/or CVD.

Controlling Risk Factors: Lifestyle Modifications

In addition to using medication to control cholesterol, blood pressure, and blood glucose levels, modifying certain lifestyle factors is essential for reducing the complications associated with diabetes and improving your length and quality of life.

Eat a Healthy Diet

Work with your doctor to devise an eating plan that you can follow. Include foods that are low in saturated fat,
trans
fat, and cholesterol, and high in fiber and whole grains; consume salt and alcohol in moderation; choose fats that help lower cholesterol (omega-3 fatty acids); and eat plenty of
fruits and vegetables
every day. A
healthy diet
can also help manage your CVD risk by lowering your blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood glucose levels.

Increase Your Physical Activity

Adults should aim to complete at least 150 minutes a week of moderate-intensity or 75 minutes a week of vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity. Being physically active will have broad health benefits. Those with diabetes need to pay special attention to blood glucose control and protective footwear during physical activities.

Begin by finding ways to incorporate extra movement into your day—walk briskly, take the stairs instead of the elevator, or park a little farther away from your destination than usual. Start slowly and build up your strength and endurance. Being physically active can be very enjoyable, and it’s good for your overall physical and mental health.

Talk to your doctor before you start any fitness plan.

Weight Loss

Eating a healthy diet, reducing your calorie intake, and increasing your physical activity will all help you lose weight if needed. Weight loss and increased activity can also increase your healthy HDLs. Consider talking to a dietitian who can help you with meal planning to make the transition easier.

No Smoking

If you are thinking about
quitting
, there are many smoking cessation programs and support groups which can help you. The benefits of quitting are both immediate and long-lasting.

Conclusion

Educate yourself about diabetes and how you can control it. There are many sources of information and organizations dedicated to managing and preventing this disease. Work closely with your healthcare team to monitor your health and help you address your individual health issues.

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.

2008 Physical activity guidelines for Americans. US Department of Health and Human Services website. Available at: http://www.health.gov/paguidelines/pdf/paguide.pdf. Published October 2008. Accessed April 23, 2014.